Singapore Fundraising Essentials: What Investors Expect to See
You’re ready to pitch your startup to investors.
But here’s the hard truth:
great ideas alone won’t get you funded.
In Singapore’s sophisticated startup ecosystem,
investors expect specific things before they even consider writing a cheque.
Let’s break down what you need to have in place.
1️⃣ Clean Corporate Structure
Investors look under the hood — and messy paperwork is an instant red flag.
✅ A properly incorporated Singapore entity
✅ Up-to-date corporate filings with ACRA
✅ Clear ownership (no disputes or missing shareholder agreements)
Example: A promising AI startup missed out on VC funding because their founders hadn’t formalized share splits —
no investor wanted to step into a legal minefield.
2️⃣ Solid Cap Table
Investors want to know:
✅ Who owns what
✅ How much dilution they’ll face
✅ That you’ve reserved shares for future hires (ESOP pool)
Example: A SaaS company impressed its investors by presenting a clean, pre-modeled cap table showing multiple fundraising scenarios —
building immediate confidence.
3️⃣ Financial and Tax Compliance
No one wants to invest in a company with hidden liabilities.
✅ Filed and clean financial statements
✅ Compliant tax records, including GST if applicable
✅ Transparent revenue and expense tracking
Example: A cross-border e-commerce brand attracted overseas investors because they could show clean, verified financials from day one.
4️⃣ Legal Documents in Order
Beyond the pitch deck, investors will ask for:
✅ Shareholder agreements
✅ IP ownership documentation
✅ Employment contracts and NDAs (especially for key hires)
Example: A biotech startup almost lost a strategic investment
because their core IP was technically still owned by a co-founder’s previous employer.
5️⃣ Why Work With Paperwork.sg?
We:
✅ Help startups get investor-ready — from cap tables to compliance
✅ Provide corporate secretary services to keep filings on track
✅ Connect you to legal and financial partners for deeper due diligence